AGEING AND POSITIVE MENTAL HEALTH: A BRIEF OVERVIEW

As the world is observing a considerable increase in life expectancy, the later years of life span have gained attention both by individuals and researchers alike. However, this growing elderly population provides both challenges and opportunities for new avenues in the field of geriatric healthcare. It becomes important to explore our own attitudes towards ageing and help the graying population age gracefully. The new discourse on aging has redirected researchers, stakeholders and individuals to consider factors that emphasise on matters of social inclusion, engagement and community development leading to successful aging. Positive psychology becomes important resource to promote it. It studies the effects of positive feelings in individual’s lives, seeking meaning, enhancing and extending aspects of quality of life and maintaining a healthy stance. By developing better care strategies, we can improve the mental and physical capabilities of our aging population. This will require interventions at primary, secondary and tertiary levels to make necessary plans catering to individuals entering into this new phase of development.
Keywords: Ageing, elderly, successful aging, mental health.